79. Assyrian Guardian Figure
Surely Maurice Sendak was looking at carvings like this when he drew Where the Wild Things Are. Like Sendak’s monsters, this fearsome deity is actually benevolent, tending eagle-eyed to a palm tree in some sacred ritual now lost to us. The carving comes from the palace of a King Ashurnasirpal II. His name, and his kingship, and indeed the Assyrian empire which he ruled for a time, are mostly forgotten now. We sail back over centuries and in and out of years, into the moment when a person like us carved this fantastical souvenir that has survived into our present.
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This post is part of MFAH 100, a series featuring works from the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, in honor of its 100th birthday. 100 words on 100 works in 100 days.
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Yes....a connection, indeed....thank you..